NORTHEAST Neb. -- On Tuesday, tempers flared and arguments were had following the publication of a Flatwater Free Press article.

The article in question is the second of a four-part investigation Flatwater is conducting into nitrates' effects on drinking water in Nebraska. Mike Sousek, general manager of the LENRD wanted to "put into context" his quotations in the article. Sousek says some of the quotes came from emails to natural resource districts Flatwater received through a freedom of public record request, as well as other clarifying comments made to Flatwater.

Director Scott Clausen voiced his concern on comments made by Sousek in an email that stated the NDEE was giving out feedlot permits "like Halloween candy."

"I was really disturbed by those comments," Clausen said. "To say that Mike, I think, absolutely goes against what us guys stand for. That made the board of directors here look like we aren't doing our jobs."

Another director, Jay Reikofski, also leveled criticism at Sousek, accusing him of not talking about positive things happening in the LENRD.

"You won't say nothing about what we're doing here, not one thing. It's always bad, nothing good said about us," Reikofski said.

Sousek claimed he has talked about the positive things the LENRD has done saying, "She wrote the article, I don't know why she didn't put in everything," referring to author Yanqi Xu.

One member who took issue with other board members' complaints was Joel Hansen. Hansen says many of Sousek's comments have been expressed during public meetings with the board by Sousek and other members. He also said the email Flatwater obtained was an attempt by Sousek to discuss an issue the whole state is facing.

"It shouldn't be all that surprising," Hansen said. "This wasn't an interview where he said this to a reporter, this was an email...discussing an issue the whole state is facing. If it looks like we're not doing our job, it's cause we're not."